Stefanos Tsitsipas better forehand than Roger Federer
Australian tennis great Wally Masur paid Stefanos Tsitsipas’ forehand the ultimate compliment, arguing it’s even deadlier than the iconic Roger Federer’s.
“Yeah look, it is, it is,” Masur said on Stan Sport. Daily Grand Slam ahead of Tsitsipas’ blockbuster Australian Open men’s final against Novak Djokovic on Sunday night.
“Federer probably made more mistakes on his forehand. It was a very outlandish forehand from Roger Federer. It was brilliant, beautiful to watch, he could hit winners from anywhere, play all kinds of strokes.
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“But I think this forehand (from Tsitsipas) is a bit bigger, top speed and maybe even a bit more reliable. Is that possible?
“Like it’s an amazing shot, but I think the key is how he moves to set it up. He’s a big man and he works hard to get back-to-back wins and control the pitch from of the.”
Tsitsipas and Djokovic have met 12 times on the tour, with the Serbian superstar leading their matches 10-2 and winning their last nine encounters.
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“But he (Tsitsipas) has certainly been competitive. And you have to remember that Novak is 35, Stefanos is 24. I think he’s improving,” Masur said.
“So, you know, the results from two or three years ago are not as relevant as what we are going to see in this final. I think he (Tsitsipas) is not without luck.
“I think he’s the only guy in the draw who has a chance and the reason for that is the serve and the forehand. The forehand has been in song for two weeks. If those two things work, he has a chance .”
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